Imbalance of Greens and Browns
Deviating from the recommended balance of greens and browns causes functional problems in a compost pile: an excess of greens leads to a soggy, foul-smelling pile that emits ammonia, whereas an excess of browns produces a dry pile that decomposes extremely slowly.
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Prep Sessions
Home Composting Fundamentals for Backyard Gardeners @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ch.2 Pile Care and Maintenance - Home Composting Fundamentals for Backyard Gardeners @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Balancing Greens and Browns - Home Composting Fundamentals for Backyard Gardeners @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Troubleshooting Pile Problems - Home Composting Fundamentals for Backyard Gardeners @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Related
Greens in Composting
Browns in Composting
Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio in Composting
Imbalance of Greens and Browns
Composting
Remediating Compost Pile Odors
Turning a Compost Pile
Imbalance of Greens and Browns
According to the practical rule of thumb for composting, what volume of browns relative to greens should be combined to achieve an optimal balance?
State the optimal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for a compost pile, and explain why maintaining an appropriate balance between these two elements is necessary.
When applying the standard composting rule of thumb to balance brown and green materials, what measurement basis should be used?
A composter wants to balance materials effectively to support microbial activity and decomposition efficiency. Describe the physical material ratio recommended by the standard rule of thumb, and contrast it with the resulting elemental ratio achieved in the compost pile.
Imbalance of Greens and Browns
Learn After
A compost pile with an excess of greens will emit ammonia.
What moisture condition and odor problem develop when a compost pile contains an excess of greens?
Explain the two functional problems that occur in a compost pile when there is an excess of browns.
A compost pile is observed to be decomposing extremely slowly. What material is present in excess?
Contrast the moisture conditions that develop in a compost pile when there is an excess of greens versus when there is an excess of browns.